(CNN) – John McCain’s decision to pull out of Michigan prompted the state Republican Party chairman to issue a desperate plea Friday for donations to help fund political activities the presidential campaign would likely have shouldered.

“I won’t sugar coat it; the McCain Campaign’s decision to pull out of Michigan is a tough blow,” Saul Anuzis, chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, wrote in an email fundraising solicitation to Republicans. “But we cannot let it deter us.”

The latest CNN poll of Michigan voters, released late last month, suggested Obama was holding on to his edge over McCain in the fight for the state’s 17 electoral votes. Among likely voters, Obama held a 5 point lead, 51 percent to 46 percent; among the larger sample of registered voters, the lead was 7 points. Obama had a 4 point advantage in the previous CNN poll in Michigan, conducted at the beginning of September.

Michigan has voted for the Democratic candidate in the last four presidential contests, though John Kerry's winning margin there over President Bush in 2004 was just 3 points.

McCain aides acknowledged Thursday that the campaign was shifting resources and money out of Michigan and directing them to states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maine, among others. Anuzis said that McCain’s decision not to contest the state “leaves a tremendous hole in our ground campaign that we must now fill” in its fight for congressional, judicial, and state-level candidates.

In a note to supporters posted on the state party’s Web site, Anuzis disputed the McCain camp’s assessment of the Republican ticket’s chances in the state. The McCain campaign, he wrote, believes that “Other states ‘today’ offer a better opportunity for the campaign and they decided to shift their strategy. We do NOT agree.

“Michigan Republicans kicked into overdrive last night. We had a series of conference calls and meetings with activists and donors, coming up with our own plan on how to implement a ‘Michigan strategy’ for McCain and the rest of our ticket,” he said. “We will have a revised plan in effect by next week and are NOT conceding an inch to the Obama campaign or any Democrats in Michigan. This is a battleground state, the numbers always tighten up and we will bring the McCain campaign back to Michigan by our own efforts statewide.”

soundoff(253 Responses)

Oh yeah, I just loved how Biden called out McCain on being the so called "Maverick"

October 3, 2008 12:53 pm at 12:53 pm |

Raymond Duke

A lot of people in Michigan must really like a lot of common sense. They want to keep going democrat. Their Governors for a long period have been democrat most of their federal representatives and Senators or democrat and most of their state representatives. They are in these conditions because of these people and excessive union demands and they keep going down the same road with the same politicians and union demands. If you like were you are now than you need to keep following that path. Why do you think most foriegn car plants are building in the south. They offer close to the same pay and benefits and or making a profit. All of Michigan pretty soon will look like Detriot. Boardered up houses and Ghetto with all the welfare slugs the only thing left. As far as this bailout vote any person out who supports it. It is not going to work. All they are doing is bailing out foriegn banks, Wall street and New York city which is known as the greatest welfare society in the united states.

October 3, 2008 12:55 pm at 12:55 pm |

LB

McCain wants the sons and daughters of American families to continue to fight in Iraq, Victory is his call, yet when it comes to his personal campaign, when the outlook doesn't look good he wants to cut and run. I guess it depends who is in the line of fire as to how much courage you have to proceed forward towards a victory. McCain's true color has shown thru-Yellow.

McCain should be behind in the polls. He selected a VP who "winks" at America, which is what the McCain/Palin Administration will do if they were able to get in office.

John has NO intention in listening to us, he will steamroll his policies over us, without regard to anyone or anything. Sound familiar?

Obama/Biden 08

October 3, 2008 12:58 pm at 12:58 pm |

Shockey

If you would have put Sarah on the stump instead of putting on the slump so she can look like she know something thnig people will contribute. Times is hard and McCain/Palin is doing nothing but saying the same old thing.

October 3, 2008 12:58 pm at 12:58 pm |

nuclular weapons= PALIN NEED TO CHECK A DICTIONARY

SOME PEOPLE WHO KEEP SAYING THAT JOHN MCCAIN WILL BE A GOOD COMMANDER IN CHIEF ARE THE SAME PEOPLE WHO CALL OBAMA MUSLIM WHICH IS AN OTHER NAME FOR RACISM. THEY DON'T WANT TO SAY THAT THEY DON'T LIKE HIM BECAUSE HE IS BLACK, SO THEY CALL HIM MUSLIM. PEOPLE, WAKE UP, BY THE END THE RACE YOU WILL SEE HOW RACIST THE REPUBLICANS ARE. THE Y WILL COME BACK WITH REVEREND WRIGHT. THEY WILL SAY THAT OBAMA DON'T LOOK LIKE US. I M WHITE, BUT I WILL VOTE FOR THE SMART ONE NOT THE IDIOTONE. OBAMA, YOU ARE THE MAN FOR THE JOB.

October 3, 2008 12:58 pm at 12:58 pm |

Reese from NC

This is only the beginning. Iowa and Pennsylvania is probably next. Just wait until he starts dropping out of RED states. I predict Virginia or Florida. The floodgates are opening. The choice is clear we must have a new direction, a new vision for this country. Obama/Biden represents that. McCain/Palin clearly does not. Last night Palin did nothing to convince me they would do anything different from Bush when it comes to the ecomony and foreign policy.

October 3, 2008 12:58 pm at 12:58 pm |

josh

The Republican Party is over because they cant receuit minority voters,the reason Mccain is pulling out of Mich is because he is out of money,the media is not talking about this.

October 3, 2008 12:59 pm at 12:59 pm |

Alaina, MO

Just as running down to Washington, D.C. was a stunt, so is Sarah Failin, ruby red shoes and all.

Obama/Biden

October 3, 2008 12:59 pm at 12:59 pm |

NC for Obama!

Can you say "white flag"? Never thought I'd hear that from John McCain.

And, a bit off the subject of Michigan.......but, was it not John McCain who publicly said that as President, he would veto EVERY bill that came across his desk that included ANY earmark? But......he's voted for the Bailout Bill (let's call it what it is) and is encouraging others to do so, even though it's full of earmark spending additions.......??

October 3, 2008 12:59 pm at 12:59 pm |

Olivia

Palin reached out and touched me last night. I have nothing against the folksy demeanor and her personal style. It was the honesty and forth-rightness that got me.
They both did fine, accomplishing what they set out to do.
Palin doesn't need training. I saw her as an astute and formidable person, with the ability to cloak her strength with a warm smile. I wouldn't want to be on the other side from her in any situation.

I'm sorry McCain pulled out of mich. ...... but i think his campaign knows best.

I won't vote for a person with radical connections.....so McCain/palin is my pick.

October 3, 2008 12:59 pm at 12:59 pm |

annoyed seriously

hey what happened, i wish one of these canidates would pay attention to those of us making less then 40k a year. we pay taxes too. 20% of our gross income or more. people please

October 3, 2008 01:00 pm at 1:00 pm |

raj

If the running of campaign is any indication of executive skills of John McCain, we should be scared. I believe President McCain will make George Bush look like Einstein.

October 3, 2008 01:00 pm at 1:00 pm |

Dutch-VA

Noah

He's got the lead in my state of VIRGINIA. Up by 9 points last time I checked. Stop being in denial.

October 3, 2008 01:01 pm at 1:01 pm |

karen raleigh

McCain and the republican party should be ashamed for putting a woman like Palin on any ballot–she's a farce–she didnt answer one question last night and when she does it's rote-like a robot without any knowledge whatsoever–its not a wink and a smile that' this country needs but tough ,intelligent answers backed by facts–this isnt a beauty pageant and she wouldnt win that either–she is really scary!!!!!!!!

October 3, 2008 01:01 pm at 1:01 pm |

Kim

This shows that McCain is not ready to lead the United States of American and to say that Michigan is not a important state by leaving them is a disgrace.

By leaving John McCain is saying that we do not care about the Thousands of unemployed auto manufacturers or the Thousands of people that do not have health care.

If McCain does this to one state does he really care about the other states.

McCain you are a Disappointment to the American Voters.

October 3, 2008 01:01 pm at 1:01 pm |

SONGBIRD MCCAIN

McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time...

"There have been huge blunders throughout this administration"
-Sarah Palin 10/2/08

Bipolar voters for McCain/Palin '08

October 3, 2008 01:04 pm at 1:04 pm |

Democrat Gone Republican

CNN – I cannot believe you are as biased as you are! I can do with your BS. You will print anything to do with McCain from a dem but nothing about Obama! I suppose it won't be long before some will have to bail you out too!

October 3, 2008 01:04 pm at 1:04 pm |

pascal

is even better for him to stop campaigning .
is too late for him because now my mind is on Obama and biden
GOOD JOB FOR THE DEBATE BIDEN you score 95/100 .

October 3, 2008 01:04 pm at 1:04 pm |

Pat from Cali

Senator Biden's son Beau was deployed to Iraq today. Was he the one who was critically injured in the accident that killed his mother? He had a lot on his mind last night. He's such of a gentleman.

McCain's campaign has been reckless while this country goes bankrupt.

October 3, 2008 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |

LB

Susie, McCain doesn't want your vote either, he just deserted his supporters in Michigan for other states because the going was to tough for him. He calls for victory in Iraq but is to scared to fight for a victory in his own campaign. Loser!

October 3, 2008 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |

PLAYING-GAMES..!

Obama & Biden members of the majority Democrats do-nothing

congress are still playing games with the country and blaming

the other side for their failure to clean house while in power. Yet

they chose to sit on their hands and practice the do-nothing for

which they are famous now....Leadership means take action not

fancy talk and blame-game..Wake up America change is coming

with the McCain/Palin ticket...........

October 3, 2008 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |

McCain!

Obama will never carry Florida or Pennsylvania.

Go McCain!!!

October 3, 2008 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |

McAncient

I guess Noah doesn't know much.

I can't see how people are impressed with Palin. What does she intend to do wink and smile with world leaders???? that may work with Zardari not with anyone else. The fact that she was able to blurt out her recitation is only impressive in contrast to last weeks performance. Most of what she did was resort to her default stump speech.